They Cost Not Lots

I'm glad to announce that the first song recorded by Tryptic 2.0 is now available for download. It is call "The Sanctum Regnum". The song is vaguely trip-hopish with its groovin' RNB beats and its haunting synths, though the addition of big sounding guitars in the chorus adds something of a rock edge. It is available for download both as an MP3 and a Reason 4 published song (requires drums refill).
The Sanctum Regnum MP3
The Sanctum Regnum (Reason4 file)

The past few weeks have been a lot of fun, but also quite frustrating. I'm talking about the trials and tribulations of setting up and learning to use on the new fangle gadgets and programs I've acquired for the home studio . In the past, my recording experience had been at the other end of the desk, ie, as a musician (can you call a drummer a musician?!?). Now however I am playing the part of audio engineer as well. I must say I have a new found respect for them, not realising previously exactly how much of an art there is to their craft.

The arrival of the last bit of hardware for my home studio marks the rebirth of "Tryptic"... a musical project that has been fallow since 1997. Tryptic was originally conceived in 1996 after the demise of my band, R.F Brahm, and is the name given to my current (and all my post RF Brahm) musical endeavors. I hesitate to call it a band name, as well... there is no band as such ... just me, some instruments, and some recording gear; But, for all intents and purposes that is exactly what it is.

I've been a bit slack with reporting guild news as of late.. been rather busy you see, but that doesn't mean there has been no news to report. Quite the opposite in fact. Over the past couple of weeks a staggering number of bosses have fallen to the SW progression juggernaught. Jan’Alai, Leotheras the Blind, Fathom Lord Karathress and Rage Winterchill all met speedy deaths. This now puts us at 5/6 SSC, 3/4TK and 1/5 MH, and has us taking our first steps into Tier 6 content!

The Following article appeared in the October 93 issue of Meca Magazine

You could feel the storm building up, the atmosphere rejoiced in it's swollen ripeness, as it was about to birth infinite drops of sweet bliss. The air hugged your skin, clasped you in its suffocating enrapture. Movement in this torturing humidity was minimal, a struggle to wade through the murky heat. As the night swelled up and engulfed the world in darkness, the storm relinquished its burgeoning juices, a euphoric release from the imposing walls of humidity. The same feeling you get from a tension-adled build up to a R.F. Brahm gig, and as they hit the stage with their wildly erratic sounds, and the accompanying image of the Brahms abandoned to the possessive god of creation. An enthralling whip of focused energy, touching the endulgent beast of passion.

Recently the Dutch politician Geert Wilders created a movie called Fitna and released it on the internet. It is a movie that juxtaposes verses in the Quran with footage of Muslims carrying out its injunctions. It is a disturbing film and an enlightening film, and shows the depth and depravity that ignorance and superstitions can plunge people to. Wilders, of course, has his own agenda with this film.. an agenda that is not that palatable, but the film is worth watching nevertheless. Due to death threats against it's staff, the film was pulled from live leak. A copy of the film can be seen above though.

I recently caught up with a good friend that I had lost contact with and had not seen in about 5 years. He was the singer in a band that I used to play in (R.F. Brahm), and there was a time when we were very close. It was awesome to note that though half a decade had past, conversation felt like there had been no time separation at all. One of the marks of a true and lasting friendship imo.

For a while now I've been looking at building a home recording studio so as to get some of the music in my head, out and into the world. I'm looking at building something small, portable, and yet relatively powerful. Also, it must "cost not lots". As a result, I'll be looking at using software when it can replace hardware (synths/effects racks etc), and when it comes to hardware, the smaller the better. In the area of software I"m looking at Steinberg's Cubase for mixing/mastering and Propellerhead's Reason for synths and drums.

It's been another good week on the progression front for Southern Wardens with three more 1st kills under our belt. Solarian in Tempest Keep, Doomwalker, and Tidewalker Morogrim from SSC; All of which were done on our first night encountering them. Solarian went down after half a dozen attempts, and Morogrim went down on the second attempt. That makes nine new boss kills in 6 weeks which is pretty fantabulous to say the least and puts us at 3/4 TK and 3/6 SSC.

Another new boss down to Southern Wardens. This time it was the flaming chicken of Tempest Keep, Al'ar. It was a a mammoth 17 minute ordeal, and he was killed the second he enraged. So.. far from perfect, but a good kill nevertheless. Gratz Wardens. 6 new bosses down in less than 6 weeks!!